For us who did leave, we quickly realize “covenantal relationship” means “convenient relationship.” The way GP treats former members who have labored 10, 15, 20 years should sear the conscience of the senior leadership.
Human beings are sinful. If we examine Book of Acts, men who were filled with the Holy Spirit like Peter and James can err in their ways. Paul reflecting upon his own depravity writes he is the chief amongst sinners. Yet, GP was all about leaders being infallible. That’s Confucian, not Christian. The soil that gave birth to Becky JDSN is the same soil that Ed and Kelly Kang operates in. Old timers should remember this book that we had to study:
https://www.amazon.com/Covenant-Relationships-More-Excellent-Way/dp/0914903713
The bastard child of Confucian hierarchy and “covenantal relationship” is the blind adherence to a Becky JDSN or a Pastor Ed. People would ditch their families, ditch their careers, ditch anything and fulfill that covenant of growing GP. This blind adherence and unquestioned loyalty has been going on for 30+ years! The loyalty that was based on covenantal relationships at the end was all for the personal whim of Becky JDSN and now Ed and Kelly Kang.
Our adherence should be to Christ Jesus only, not to people or organizations. People are sinful, even men like Peter, James, and Paul. If we look through the entire Bible, the list of failure in leaders is stunning. Why pull rank using Hebrews 13:17 when Jesus plainly teaches if someone wants to be first, then he must be last and servant of all. Does Ed and Kelly Kang appear to be last in anything and servant of anything? Do they not command a place of honor and let everybody know how much they gave up for the ministry? You contrast that with Jesus, who is actually God, and how he interacted with his disciples. Jesus literally washed the feet of his disciples. Who should we follow? Who is our leader? The answer can only be Christ Jesus.